Go Back
–+ servings
Cheesy garlic bread pasta bake square

Cheesy Garlic Bread Pasta Bake

If you are looking for the ultimate comfort food that combines two all time favourites into one irresistible dish, this Cheesy garlic bread pasta bake is exactly what you need. This recipe brings together a rich, slow cooked bolognese style beef and tomato sauce, perfectly cooked pasta, golden garlic bread, and layers of bubbling cheese. It is hearty, satisfying, and guaranteed to become a repeat dinner request.
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 4

Equipment

  • Large ovenpoof pan
  • Cheese grater
  • Large pot for pasta

Ingredients
  

  • 500 g beef mince
  • 300 g pasta
  • 1 onion finely diced
  • 1 carrot peeled and finely diced
  • 1 stick celery finely diced
  • 1 400 g can chopped tomatoes
  • 75 g tomato puree
  • 200 ml beef stock
  • 100 ml red wine
  • 2 cloves garlic mined
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • Salt and pepper

For the garlic bread & topping

  • 1 ciabatta loaf
  • 3 tablespoon butter
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoon chopped parsley plus extra for garnish
  • 125 drained ball mozzarella grated
  • 30 g grated cheddar

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Heat oil in a large pan oven proof pan over high heat (or a normal pan, transferring to an oven dish before baking). Add the beef, season well, and cook for 3-4 minutes until browned. Remove from the pan and set aside.
    500 g beef mince, Salt and pepper
  • Add the onion, carrot, and celery to the same pan. Cook gently for 15 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for a minute until fragrant. Add the tomato puree and cook for a couple of minutes to deepen the flavour then pour in the red wine and let it bubble until mostly absorbed.
    1 onion, 1 carrot, 1 stick celery, 100 ml red wine, 2 cloves garlic, 75 g tomato puree
  • Return the beef to the pan. Add chopped tomatoes, herbs, seasoning, sugar, and stock. Let everything simmer for 15 minutes until thickened.
    1 400 g can chopped tomatoes, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon sugar, 200 ml beef stock
  • If making your own garlic bread, mix softened butter with garlic and parsley to create a spreadable garlic butter. Slice the ciabatta almost all the way through and spread the garlic butter between the cuts. Reserve a little butter for melting later.
    1 ciabatta loaf, 3 tablespoon butter, 1 clove garlic, 2 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • Bake the garlic bread for 8-10 minutes until just starting to toast. This ensures the bread stays structured inside the Cheesy garlic bread pasta bake. While the bread is baking boil the pasta until just shy of done. It will finish cooking in the oven.
    300 g pasta
  • Add the drained pasta to the sauce with a splash of pasta water and stir to coat evenly. Transfer everything to a baking dish. Nestle chunks of garlic bread into the pasta, leaving the top half edges exposed so they crisp up. Sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar over the pasta, avoiding the tops of the bread so they stay golden.
    125 drained ball mozzarella, 30 g grated cheddar
  • bake for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted.

Notes

Part bake the garlic bread before adding it to the dish so it holds its shape. This prevents it from dissolving into the sauce and helps create those signature crispy edges that contrast with the soft, cheesy pasta underneath. A drizzle of butter also encourages extra browning and flavour development.
Keyword bolognese, cheesy bake, cheesy garlic bread, cheesy pasta bake, easy pasta bake, garlic bread, garlic butter, pasta bake recipe
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!